River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1887-07-14

of Philadelphia particularly, and from the
state of Pennsylvania generally, 10 the Nir-
ginians. Col. VIM. II. Aylett, who succeed
ed General Armstead and was commander
OF the brigade upon the death of Arnstead,
responded ON behalf of the State of Nir-
ginia, to Pennsy lvaniais welcome.
Speeches were also made by Gen. w. II.
(Baldyl Smith, Gen. Joshua Tower. Gen.
Isaac Westar, Col John T. Tagg.rt and
others for the "Bluen and 10y Col. Charles
T. Loehr, Secretary OF Pickett's Division As
sociation, Col. J. r. Gro ker, Col. Robert M.
Striking, DIR. j. A. Marshall, Col. Tinoleum
Smith, Col. Kirk Otey and others ON behalf
of the "Grays.' John w. Frazier, secretary
of the committee on arrangements, stated
that letters Ofregret had been received from
the President and cabinet, from Senator
Sherman, Gov. Fit2hugh Lee, Hon. Geo ".
Childs, George William Gurus, Charles A.
Dana and others.
PRESIDENT CLEVELAND's LETTER.
was read. It was as follows
Executive MANSION, WAsIHNGroN, ID. G.,
June ~, ISL have received your invita-
ton To attend, as guest of the Philadelphia
Brigade, reunion of ex-Confederate
soldiers of Pickett's Division who survived
their terrible charge ut Gettysburg and
those OF the Union army still living by whom
10 was heroically resisted. A fraternal
meeting OF the soldiers upon the battlefield,
where twenty four years ago In deadly FRAY
they nercely sought each others lives. where
they saw their comrades fall, and where all
thoughts were of vengeance and destruc-
ton, illustrates the general impulse of brave
men, and their honest desire for peac and
reconciliation. The friendly assault there
To he made resistless because inspired by
American chivalry, and its results will be
| glorious because conquered hearts will be
| the trophies of its success Hereafter this
/ battlefield will he cOnsecrated by a victory
which shall presage the end of the bitter
ness of strife, the exposure Of insinceritv
/ which cOnceais hatred by professions of
| kindness, the condemnation of frenzied APP
! peals TO passion for unworthy purposes; and
/ the beating down of all that stands in the
/ way of the destiny of our united country.
/ While those who fought and who have 50
1 much to forgive lead in the pleasant WAYS
| of peace, how wicked appears the traffic in
I sectional hatred and betrayal of patriotic
/ sentiment Ii surely cannot be wrong 10
| desire the settled quiet which lights for the
| entire country the path TO prosperity and
| greatness. nor need the lessons of the war
| be forgotten and its results ieopardzed in
the wish for that genuine fraternity which
/ inspires national pride and glory. | should
/ be very glad TO accept your invitation and
4 be with you at this interesting reunion. but
| other arrangements already made and nv
| official duties here will prevent my doing 50.
| Hoping the occasion will he as successful
| ana useful as its promoters can desire, | am,
yours very truly,
GROVER CLEVELAND.
| Tn utmost enthusiasm prevailed during
/ the whole proceedings and after reading the
/ Presidents letter was finished thr, cheers
were given for the ~ esident of the United
| States The festivities lasted till late hour
and then the first camp fire ever held be
| tween the Blue and Gray was over.
On the Bird, thousands upon thousands of
visitors poured into Gettsburg upon excur-
sion trains, and the day was passed in sight
seeing, aud during the afternoon a meeting
] held ma on
the battle ground of July 3. 1868, in the
| course of which the various monuments
were duly dedicated with most interesting
addresses and "reminiscences.